Report: NSA was spying on Salt Lake City during Olympics

Comments

When I was was GOP I recall the ACLU suing to stop the government from doing
this. My fellow Conservatives ripped on the ACLU and consistently supported GW
Bush AND REELECTED him. They consolidated Executive power and now they are
displeased that someone from another party is doing the same thing. What have
you got to hide Conservatives? You made the bed, go ahead and make yourself
cozy in it.

m.g. scottclearfield, UT

Aug. 23, 2013 4:51 p.m.

Typical irrational responses from the left---

Bush = BADObama =
Not responsible for anything BAD.

LDS LiberalFarmington, UT

Aug. 23, 2013 3:12 p.m.

Typical irrational responses from the right ---

Bush = GOOD,Obama = BAD.

Brent T. Aurora COAurora, CO

Aug. 23, 2013 2:21 p.m.

Comments seem to be going both ways here and someone already covered my response
-- So what? If you have nothing to hide, which I don't, then who cares who
reads or listens to your stuff? And if you do, then it's good that
you're being monitored.

JohnJacobJingleHeimerSchmidtBeverly Hills, CA

Aug. 23, 2013 12:15 a.m.

Conservatives 2002 with Republican President: We must protect this country. You
are with us or against us. Go NSA, protect us! Surveillance is patriotism!

Conservatives 2013 with Democrat President: We have been violated!
What about the Consitution?

Conservatives 2013 if Romney had won: We
must protect this country. You are with us or against us. Go NSA, protect us!
Surveillance is patriotism!

There You Go AgainSaint George, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 8:48 p.m.

Where did the buck stop with regard to the Salt Lake Olympics?

Who
was THE MAN in charge of the SLO?

Mitt Romney knew about this yet
failed to tell Americans?

George Bush knew about this yet failed to
tell Americans?

FOX News will be screaming scandal?

DRUDGE
will be asking for investigations?

Waiting...

Harley RiderSmall Town, CT

Aug. 22, 2013 8:02 p.m.

This is just the beginning = condition the sheep to the idea of surveillance and
then start the enforcement of the coming Police State , which in some parts of
the country has already happened.

Our Reps in Washington -
Republicans - Democrats LOL there is no real difference between the 2, as both
parties have totally sold out the American Taxpayer. The time is right for a 3rd
party - need to eliminate all Computer Voting - Hanging Chads yeah right that
was orchestrated to usher in the bogus electronic voting scam

Kelliebelle66West Jordan, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 4:36 p.m.

"A canary in a cage is secure but it is not free. It is easier for free men
to resist terrorism from afar than tyranny from within." I used to feel
like many people do, that I didn't have anything to hide from the
government so it didn't matter if they monitored me. But then I started
seeing all the abuses that have been exposed where the current administration is
targeting people who disagree with them. There are power hungry people out there
who really don't care about doing what's right and they don't
have the desire to protect our freedoms. They think only of themselves and
their own agendas. The loss of our freedom will happen bit by bit until
it's too late to do anything. I read a two volume book that was a
publication of a Jewish man's diary of his life in pre- and post Nazi
Germany. It was fascinating to read the things the Nazi's would do to take
away freedoms bit by bit and the people targeted kept hoping it wouldn't
get worse until they were loaded onto cattle cars and disappeared.

EsquireSpringville, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 1:16 p.m.

@Cedarcreek320, a subtantial number of Republicans in Louisiana blame Obama for
the poor response of the government to Hurricane Katrina. So, unfortunately, I
would not be surprised if they blme him for NSA spying in 2002.

Eric PBoise, ID

Aug. 22, 2013 12:40 p.m.

And, what has been the price tag associated with the "security" that the
NSA has provided by spying on us the past couple of decades?When we are
bankrupt from this, and every other unconstitutional, government program there
will be little to protect us from the very thing the government claims the NSA
is doing. This program and all of the unconstitutional wars and entitlement
programs serve as a means, not to provide us with security but rather, to strip
us of both our security and liberty.

kiddsportFairview, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 11:48 a.m.

Even if we agreed there was a necessity for cyber intelligence to thwart
terrorism, when it is put in the hands of a party who is not above using the IRS
against political opponents, it's time to pull in on the reins.

kiddsportFairview, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 11:42 a.m.

@JJJHS- It's not that we were all that giddy about it during the GWB era,
but we were certainly more secure than when we have an unscrupulous,
less-than-transparent, prevaricator who deems his political opponents as
"enemies" occupying the White House.

ThornBirdsSt.George, Utah

Aug. 22, 2013 10:22 a.m.

Wouldn't it be fun to find out the outrageous things ol' Mitt Romney
was saying during the 2002 Olympics!Obviously, someone close to the event
will eventually pen a book describing that and much more.

Brave Sir RobinSan Diego, CA

Aug. 22, 2013 9:26 a.m.

Wait, so you guys at the NSA overheard me telling my wife what I bought the kids
for their birthday? You knew what they were getting before they did? How dare
you!?

After reading articles in both the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News I find one
thing lacking.

In the Tribune article it had reaction from many of
our elected officials.

Two reactions were missing. One was the
governor of our state at the time and the other was our Senior Senator Orrin
Hatch. Please correct me if I am wrong but wasn't Orrin Hatch at that time
one of the senior members of the Senate Intelligence Committee?

As a
senior member of that committee would he have access to the information on that
intelligence snooping?

My house was stolenRoy , UT

Aug. 22, 2013 9:02 a.m.

I have a very hard time believing this current government represents us. Even
this State government. It represents special interests only it seems. At the top
of these special interests are the big banks. They own this country. They
control the courts and relegislate laws through them. First the government
gives the banks a bait and switch scam called HAMP to scam thousands of people
out of their homes in this state. Violation of Due Process. Then there is the
spying. What is next throwing people in prison for anything? IS the Constitution
only a pesky piece of paper? America a Revolution is coming if this crap does
not stop. I will not say the Pledge of Allegiance anymore, as there is not
Liberty and Justice for all. This is a lie. It is Liberty and Justice for SOME.
This is not the America I grew up in. The values of RIGHT and WRONG have become
distorted. RISE UP AMERICA!

JWBKaysville, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 8:25 a.m.

Did Senators Bennett and Hatch and our Congress Representatives know of these
action? Where was Governor Leavitt during this type of action?

I
know security is important but it is supposed to be a shared responsibility with
the federal government in a Constitutionally approved State of Utah.

It doesn't make any difference what party is supposedly in control as the
bureaucrats running the real government and those have filtered to the one party
rule over the decades since the Wilson and Roosevelt eras of controlling
politics.

What else have they done with the secret unconstitutional
powers they use on a daily basis?

We have to be involved with our
government at all levels as power and influence is thwarting our rights as
citizens of a country that was founded for life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness not having the rich and powerful telling us what we can do.

We the people need to be involved with our country's ruling power or we
will lose the power that appears to have already been lost to the federal
government.

Cedarcreek320Star Valley Ranch, WY

Aug. 22, 2013 8:22 a.m.

It's going to be tough to blame President Obama for this one.

EsquireSpringville, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 7:44 a.m.

I wonder how many of those who are outraged supported the Patriot Act.

NedGrimleyBrigham City, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 7:41 a.m.

Legal?: as you refer to "we older folks", this article suddenly gives a
whole new meaning to "duck and cover"... ;)

Christmas CaroleLAS CRUCES, NM

Aug. 22, 2013 7:27 a.m.

@Legal?I too,feel somewhat torn up when I read about security(breach of
privacy?). HOWEVER, I glean from this article, and others that I have read, that
the problem so many citizens are having is derived from the extent of what is
being done. I am interpreting(maybe with my own feelings entwined)that
"everyday ho-jo-citizen" is being watched,listened to, etc. From what I
am understanding our government agencies have gone way over the top...@Pa.
ReaderI feel as you do(and think many others do as well)in that we are all
aware of our general lack of privacy. That said, we STILL as citizens of America
need to express our outrage and disagreement when we feel it is warranted.

CHS 85Sandy, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 7:10 a.m.

“I am proud that Utah will be home to one of the most important facilities
in our country dedicated to the defense of our nation against growing threats of
terrorism and cyber warfare,” Bishop added. “I was pleased to join
with the rest of Utah’s Congressional delegation in helping to secure the
approvals necessary for this project to go forward and I will continue to
support its continuing and vital role in our nation’s defense.” -
Rob Bishop

"Our networks are increasingly under attack from a
range of sources, everything from the hacker who steals your identity and runs
up huge credit card bills to a coordinated assault on a nation’s computer
infrastructure, as was seen in Estonia and Georgia. This threat is real and I am
very proud the intelligence community is utilizing Utahns’ unique skills
in this critical national security endeavor.” - Orrin Hatch

Thanks, Utah delegation for not only allowing spying on us, but letting us be
the repository for that data. You're the greatest.

JohnJacobJingleHeimerSchmidtBeverly Hills, CA

Aug. 22, 2013 7:09 a.m.

All you that voted for GW Bush, you can stop with the outrage. You didn't
care about it then but you care about it now?

UtahBlueDevilDurham, NC

Aug. 22, 2013 7:04 a.m.

If you all understood how this software works, you really wouldn't be too
concerned. Yes, the idea of someone reading your private emails is a bit
upsetting. But the bottom line is anything you do either wireless or connected
via a wire is crossing over someone else's property, and you should
reasonably expect it to be seen.

The technology being deployed is
simply and advanced pattern matching algorithms... looking for modeled patterns.
It does care about your cat or dog, who you are going out with (unless they are
on the known terrorist list), or what you had for dinner - where - and the
picture you posted of it on Facebook.

It is simply looking for
patterns.... it doesn't understand what they mean other than to flag
them.

In a perfect world... yes.... I would prefer we didn't
have to do this. But the fact that people are dying because terrorist are using
public communication channels to pull off their deeds justifies listening in to
see if we can intercept these communications.

I am just trying to
figure out how the regular crowd is going to blame this too on BO.

SpringvillepoetSpringville, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 6:54 a.m.

Last time I checked, The Patriot Act was originally passed by an overwhelming
majority of Congress regardless of party affiliation and has been renewed
without fail ever since. I find it amusing how so many people in Utah are big
supporters of National Security, but balk when they 'suddenly
discover' all of the baggage which comes with that security. Don't
like it? Write your representative and demand them to repeal The Patriot Act
and disband the Department of Homeland Security. Just don't feign surprise
or outrage when you get what you wanted.

The Dixie KidSaint George, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 6:14 a.m.

Who cares

christophBrigham City, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 6:05 a.m.

911 had just happened, I hope they did spy on us; we were at war and this
was an international event.

Pa. ReaderHarrisburg, PA

Aug. 22, 2013 5:38 a.m.

Amusing that those who cloak themselves in the supposed immunity of online
commentary can be so outraged about this. Since Google, Facebook and every
other social media provider mines, sells and exploits data they collect,
it's more than a little naive to claim any expectation of privacy. The Internet is the electronic equivalent of the largest bathroom wall in the
world, and anything one scrawls on that wall is there for all to see...By
the way, all governments spy. In our country there are laws in place to control
intelligence agencies. Lobby to change those laws or to vote out the elected
reps who have been privy to these programs if you are unhappy. To feign
outrage or shock over this is just silly.

high school fanHuntington, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 2:46 a.m.

Just a reminder, the Salt Lake City Olympics was just five months after 9/11.
On top of that, we as a people get real excited over others listening in but we
continue to use cell phones, texts, emails, cordless phones and other devices
that send our messages out there and then we act surprised when we lack
privacy.I am not saying that it is right, I am just saying we have never
stopped to think about it. We have no privacy.

Orem ParentOrem, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 1:47 a.m.

Thank goodness. Glad to know they are doing their job of protecting us from any
possible threats. I've got nothing to hide and gladly welcome their
efforts.

cjbBountiful, UT

Aug. 22, 2013 12:28 a.m.

I am grateful we have a government able and willing to go after terrorists and
Win.

We don't know
yet what information gleaned from this surveillance may thwarted some incendiary
plots and stopped needless bloodshed and mayhem.

Perhaps the price we
pay to live in this country and be as safe as possible is this kind of activity.
The world is a much different place than when we older folks were in school.

And perhaps what sets us apart from some other countries is how the
information may be used. I suspect if we were in other countries, the
communications which have already been intercepted may have resulted in some
nasty repercussions for us common citizens.

Your further thoughts,
please...

Mark from MontanaAurora, CO

Aug. 21, 2013 10:02 p.m.

If I express my anger at how caviler those who have sworn to uphold, defend and
protect the constitution of the United States, will I be guilty of making
terroristic threats?

I am disgusted by every elected official
holding a national office, starting with Bush, then Obama, Hatch and on down.

They talk a great deal, they hold hearings and express their outrage,
but do nothing about it. Oh how I wish I had the financial resources to file a
suite against each and every one of them for violating my rights as granted by
the constitution. They might as well start billeting soldiers in my home,
barring me from attending the church of my choice and on and on and on. If
those who have taken an oath of office to protect and defend the constitution so
easily break that oath, our county is doomed.

tim_the_tool_man_taylorDallas, TX

Aug. 21, 2013 9:39 p.m.

It is crazy to me how they do this to ya'll and then you Utahns invite them
right back into your own back yard--right in Bluffdale. Don't you think it
is time to take a stand against these people who have no regard for our privacy?

BHTremonton, UT

Aug. 21, 2013 8:53 p.m.

This is outrageous! Why are our leaders so willing to trample on the freedoms
of the American people, all in the name of security? Don't they
understand, that there is no real security when we give up our freedoms?

When we surrender our freedoms for security, all we do is change who it
is that we are threatened by. Instead of the threat coming from terrorists, now
the threat comes from our own government.

I remember in grade
school, being taught that one of the great things about America, as opposed to
other places in the world, was how free we were to come and go as we pleased,
with no fear of the government restricting and monitoring our movements. It
seems we are crossing a threshold into a society where we can no longer enjoy
that freedom. And I fear we will not be able to return, without another
revolutionary war.

From what has recently been revealed, we have
learned that with the data the NSA collects, they can know exactly where each of
us are, and who we associate with. When will Americans rebel against this loss
of freedom?